Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎227v] (144/174)

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usltjm’s doubts.
[1871.
ff Your are aware of my disposition and of that of the Commander-in-Chief. The
Ameer distinctly gave ont that if Herat should have fallen, it would be unwise to press on
towards it, and that we should wait in the Furrah District. The Commander-in-Chief
being anxious to get the credit of saving Herat for himself, did not wait for the troops with
me to arrive, but pressed forward and got to Chibun, a march beyond Furrah, before he heard
of the fall of Herat. Even this did not stop him in his anxiety that I should not overtake
him before he got to the point; he pushed on till he got a second report of the fall of
the town on reaching Checha. That was not a place where he could halt a force, so he pushed
on to Asferaz, and met with the reverse which such action merited. It is six days since I
joined the camp. Whenever he suggests, to me an advance on Herat, I say very good, and
he then becomes wave-ring. If I say we had better remain here, he urges an advance, and
eagerly grasps at any story told by worthless men of the want of confidence in Herat in
Yacoob Khan, and the disaffection of his army. The aspect of our force and our General
now is like that of the Sikh army and the pundits at the last. I do all I can for the good of
the State, and no fault shall be laid to my charge. I shall let you know how matters progress ;
you will know the evil intentions of Yacoob Khan towards our Government and ourselves indivi
dually ; you cannot therefore be too watchful and careful. I told you before that you should be
watchful when Meer Afzul returned to the Ameer after his interview with Yacoob. Similarly^ now
that Abdoollah Khan, Nasireo, has been sent by Yacoob to the Ameer, and has probably reached
him ere now, you must be most vyatchful; you know that Yacoob Khan is our deadly enemy, and
will spare no pains to compass our ruin. Watch that he does not make any accusations against me.
Your position and mine with the Ameer is such that, if things go well, we share in the common
good fortune, but if* ill, we are the first and chief sufferers. Under these circumstances you
should take f the greater Khan' [Ata Mahomed Khan] and the lesser Khan [Abdoollah]
into your confidence, and consult with them for the good of the State. They being connected
with the English Government can wish only the good of the Ameer. You may remember
that, before I left Cabul, when you and I and the Moostowfee were talking with the Ameer
about Herat, I told him that his only chance to settle the matter was to go there himselL
He objected that he could not well leave Cabul, as how should he watch the capital and
Toorkistan.
“Now, in the interests of the Ameer, I have determined that I will not advance on
Herat without his order; nor will I allow any ono else to do so if I can help it; and if any
one attempts to make a forward movement, I shall withdraw from the camp, and then the
army will not move. The Ameer well knows the state of the army. This force is, as you
know, the best equipped he has; if it advances, it will break up. I have always told you
that the fall of Herat would be the signal for general disaffection, and so it has turned out.
Men now openly declare themselves rebels who hitherto have kept discreet silence. Yacoob'a
party is now much stronger than before. Look at the instance of Khan Agha sending his son
with horsemen openly to join Yacoob when he invested the town. Up to this time not a man
in these parts has joined our camp, which shows the feeling among the people. I tell you
privately that, until the Ameer himself with a large force takes the matter in hand, there can
be no settlement of it. What chance is there that we can drive Yacoob Khan from the field,
and then when he shuts himself up in the city of Herat, we should overcome him in six
months or a year. We are not in a position to do this, and there is no trust to be put in the
country.
“If the Ameer comes himself, and in a year or so recovers Herat, in the meantime disturb
ances will have arisen in Toorkistan, Cabul, &c., which will have to be quelled, and then who
shall be left in charge of Herat ? The best advice I can offer now is, not to attempt interfer
ence at present with Yacoob Khan, but to order this army to retire, leaving a portion of it in
Furrah with Meer Afzul Khan, and the remainder to encamp at Girishk and Poosht-i-rood,
and then the Ameer should set to work to increase and improve his army, and make all safe in
the direction of Toorkistan. Then after a year, if the Ameer thinks fit, he can come and
re-take Herat, for by that time the evil disposition of Yacoob will have estranged many from
him, and the matter will be easily arranged.
“ I well know that the Ameer will be so enraged with Yacoob Khan, and vexed at
the death of Futteh Mahomed Khan, that no one will like to oppose him; but if he doe-; in
this temper march on Herat, there will be rebellion all over his kingdom. I have written
separately to you and to the Moostowfee, and you must understand my meaning from indications.
Be very careful that no one should misconstrue as unfriendly counsel what you say or advise,,
and if you see that it is hopeless to offer this advice to the Ameer, do not do so. I swear the
Ameer has not a wise and trusty adviser either in Cabul or in this camp, and I further swear
that, if the Ameer marches this way at this time, six months will see the end of his fortune
and yours and mine. What I have said is for the good of the State. Keep this letter by you
as my witness what 1 foretell. We are in God's hands. Surwur Khan, Mahomed Azim's son,
has joined Yacoob Khan. When the Commander-in-Chief Wrote his answer to the letter he
received from Yacoob Khan, he wanted to get me to affix my seal to it, but I would not. The
answer to the letter, after acknowledging its receipt and the information received from the-